Effects of Sleep Deprivation in Children

The effects of sleep deprivation are serious, and quite frankly they are very off-putting to anyone who has ever experienced them. However, for children that seemingly minor issue may be cause for a bit more alarm. Our kids have growing minds and bodies, and as such they need proper amounts of rest. Without it, they could suffer from life-altering ailments, health problems, and even cognitive or developmental issues. This means that putting your little ones to bed at a decent time is far more important than being a cool parent who lets them stay up all night.

Understanding Age Appropriate Sleep Requirements

Depending on the age of your child, the need for sleep may be greater or lesser than they are getting. The effects of sleep deprivation in children, though, are more noticeable than in adults who have most likely learned how to deal with it. According to the most recent studies, children should be getting at least 10 to 12 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night. If your kiddies aren’t getting enough rest, they could start to suffer greatly from it in their everyday lives.

Recognizing the Most Common Side Effects of Sleep Deprivation in Children:

Your child is inarguably unique, but often the effects of sleep deprivation are so noticeable that even the most precocious of children exhibit clear signs. If you suspect that your kid is not getting enough rest, be on the lookout for symptoms such as:

· Being more emotional than usual – this typically includes explosive outbursts, touchy feelings, and irritability with simple tasks.
· Clumsiness – you child might trip, stumble, or fall more than usual (and will likely become frustrated or apathetic about it as a result of their drowsiness).
· Fussiness upon waking – a sleep deprived child will not want to get up in the morning and will be difficult to rouse.
· Difficulty focusing or concentrating – this can be observed simply by watching how your child plays by himself/herself and with others.
· Hyperactivity – you child will try to fight off the drowsiness by staying as active as possible, or might be experiencing mental misfires as a result of sleep deprivation.

Getting Help to Help Kids Combat the Effects of Sleep Deprivation

Talk to a pediatrician if you feel as though your child is not getting enough sleep. Ask him or her to explain in greater detail the effects of sleep deprivation in children. Then, see if he or she has any patient-specific advice to help get circadian rhythms back on track.